Edgar Puts Screws To License Plate Plan

State lawmakers think it's high time, since Illinois motorists haven't gotten new tags for their cars in more than a dozen years.

So on Thursday, the Senate gave final approval to a bill to provide new plates for all car owners in the state, a massive giveaway that would take place in 1999. Senators sent it to Gov. Jim Edgar for his consideration.

But the plan was spattered with mud before it ever got out of the driveway. Edgar doesn't think the state has the money to spare for the $35 million proposition and is unlikely to give it his stamp of approval.

"We continue to have serious concerns about the costs at a time when we have problems maintaining the road fund," said Mike Lawrence, a spokesman for Edgar.

Edgar's reluctance smothers one of the more voter-friendly bills of the session. If the benefits of many legislative projects are lost on most constituents, just about every driver could appreciate a shiny new pair of license plates.

More than that, sponsors say some of the current plates are so old, dirty and rusted that they could become a public safety hazard. Police officers can hardly read them sometimes, they say.

"Plates begin to lose their reflectivity after five years," said sponsor Sen. Kathy Parker (R-Northbrook). "When more than 70 percent of crimes involve vehicles, it's imperative that police have the ability to read license plates."

Her bill would allow Secretary of State George Ryan to begin collecting 75 cents from each annual $48 license plate registration fee to pay for the replating next year. The new plates, available in 1999, would then be paid for by the state road fund.

But even Ryan, who would love to issue thousands of new plates, doesn't endorse the bill in its current form. He's skeptical about the cost estimates and the time frame for replating.

In other business Thursday, a Senate panel advanced a bill designed to save money for consumers who lease cars and then choose to purchase them.

At present, such customers pay an upfront sales tax on the full price of an automobile when signing a long-term lease, and then again when they purchase the car at the end of the lease.

Under the new proposal, customers would pay a sales tax monthly on the lease amount.

State revenue officials warned the measure could cost the state $231 million over the next three years. The bill goes to the full Senate.

The House also sent several bills to Edgar's desk Thursday, concerning:

Rape trials: An accused serial rapist's past victims would be allowed to testify in subsequent rape trials, under a measure passed by the House and sent to the governor.

The proposed law would allow testimony from past victims even if the accused rapist was not convicted or even charged in their cases.

The bill would make it easier for prosecutors to demonstrate the criminal history of serial rapists, supporters said.

Family violence: The House voted to increase the penalties for manslaughter of a family member. The crime would be punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The House also passed a bill forbidding health insurers from discriminating against victims of domestic violence.